instrument panel PONTIAC G5 2009 Service Manual

Blizzard Conditions
Being stuck in snow can be in a serious situation. Stay
with the vehicle unless there is help nearby. If possible,
use theRoadside Assistance Program on page 7-7.
To get help and keep everyone in the vehicle safe:
Turn on theHazard Warning Flashers on page 3-6.
Tie a red cloth to an outside mirror.
{CAUTION:
Snow can trap engine exhaust under the vehicle.
This may cause exhaust gases to get inside.
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO)
which cannot be seen or smelled. It can cause
unconsciousness and even death.
If the vehicle is stuck in the snow:
Clear away snow from around the base of
your vehicle, especially any that is blocking
the exhaust pipe.
Check again from time to time to be sure
snow does not collect there.
CAUTION: (Continued)
CAUTION: (Continued)

Open a window about two inches (5 cm) on
the side of the vehicle that is away from the
wind to bring in fresh air.
Fully open the air outlets on or under the
instrument panel.
Adjust the Climate Control system to a setting
that circulates the air inside the vehicle and
set the fan speed to the highest setting. See
Climate Control System in the Index.
For more information about carbon monoxide, see
Engine Exhaust on page 2-34.
Snow can trap exhaust gases under your vehicle.
This can cause deadly CO (carbon monoxide) gas
to get inside. CO could overcome you and kill you.
You cannot see it or smell it, so you might not
know it is in your vehicle. Clear away snow from
around the base of your vehicle, especially any
that is blocking the exhaust.
Run the engine for short periods only as needed to
keep warm, but be careful.
To save fuel, run the engine for only short periods as
needed to warm the vehicle and then shut the engine off
and close the window most of the way to save heat.
4-20

Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument panel
ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are burned
out. For this reason you may think other drivers are
seeing the signal when they are not. It is important to
check occasionally to be sure the trailer bulbs are still
working.
Driving on Grades
Notice:Do not tow on steep continuous grades
exceeding 6 miles (9.6 km). Extended, higher than
normal engine and transmission temperatures may
result and damage the vehicle. Frequent stops are
very important to allow the engine and transmission
to cool.
Reduce speed and shift to a lower gearbeforestarting
down a long or steep downgrade. If the transmission is
not shifted down, the brakes might have to be used so
much that they would get hot and no longer work well.On a long uphill grade, shift down and reduce the
vehicle’s speed to around 45 mph (70 km/h) to reduce
the possibility of the engine and the transmission
overheating.
Vehicles can tow in D (Drive). Shift the transmission to
a lower gear if the transmission shifts too often under
heavy loads and/or hilly conditions.
Pay attention to the engine coolant gage. If the indicator
is in the red area, turn off the air conditioning to reduce
engine load. SeeEngine Overheating on page 5-27.
When towing under severe conditions such as hot
ambient temperatures or steep grades, the vehicle may
experience more transmission shifting. A COOLING
MODE ON message may also appear in the DIC. This
alerts the driver that the shifting mode is in progress
and is aiding engine cooling. SeeDIC Warnings and
Messages on page 3-42DIC Warnings and Messages
for more information.
4-36

When It Is Time for New Tires.......................5-64
Buying New Tires.........................................5-65
Different Size Tires and Wheels......................5-67
Uniform Tire Quality Grading..........................5-67
Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance..................5-68
Wheel Replacement......................................5-69
Tire Chains..................................................5-70
If a Tire Goes Flat........................................5-71
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit....................5-72
Tire Sealant and Compressor Kit Storage.........5-80
Changing a Flat Tire.....................................5-80
Removing the Spare Tire and Tools................5-82
Removing the Flat Tire and Installing the
Spare Tire................................................5-86
Storing a Flat or Spare Tire and Tools................5-90
Compact Spare Tire......................................5-93
Appearance Care............................................5-94
Interior Cleaning...........................................5-94
Fabric/Carpet...............................................5-95
Leather.......................................................5-96
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces..................................................5-96
Care of Safety Belts......................................5-97
Weatherstrips...............................................5-97Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-97
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses.....................5-98
Finish Care..................................................5-98
Windshield and Wiper Blades.........................5-99
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels
and Trim................................................5-100
Tires.........................................................5-100
Sheet Metal Damage...................................5-101
Finish Damage...........................................5-101
Underbody Maintenance...............................5-101
Chemical Paint Spotting...............................5-101
Vehicle Identication....................................
.5-102
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)................5-102
Service Parts Identication Label...................5-102
Electrical System..........................................5-102
Add-On Electrical Equipment.........................5-102
Headlamp Wiring........................................5-103
Windshield Wiper Fuses...............................5-103
Power Windows and Other Power Options......5-103
Fuses and Circuit Breakers..........................5-103
Floor Console Fuse Block............................5-104
Engine Compartment Fuse Block...................5-105
Capacities and Specications........................5-108
Section 5 Service and Appearance Care
5-2

Hood Release
To open the hood, do the following.
1. Pull the interior hood
release lever with
this symbol on it.
It is located under the
instrument panel on
the driver’s side of the
vehicle.
2. Then go to the front of the vehicle and push the
secondary hood release lever to the left. It is located
under the front center of the hood toward the driver’s
side of the vehicle.
3. After you have partially lifted the hood, a gas strut
will automatically take over to lift and hold the hood
in the fully open position.
Before closing the hood, be sure all the ller caps are
on properly. Lower the hood until the lifting force of
the strut is reduced, then release the hood to latch
fully. Check to make sure the hood is closed and
repeat the process if necessary.
5-11

Adding Coolant
If you need more coolant, add the proper DEX-COOL®
coolant mixture at the coolant surge tank, but only
when the engine is cool. If the coolant surge tank is
empty, a special ll procedure is necessary. SeeEngine
Overheating on page 5-27for instructions on “How to
Add Coolant to the Coolant Surge Tank.”
{CAUTION:
You can be burned if you spill coolant on hot
engine parts. Coolant contains ethylene glycol,
and it will burn if the engine parts are hot enough.
Do not spill coolant on a hot engine.
When replacing the pressure cap, make sure it is
hand-tight and fully seated.
Coolant Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Notice:If the pressure cap is not tightly installed,
coolant loss and possible engine damage may
occur. Be sure the cap is properly and tightly
secured.
The coolant surge tank pressure cap must be fully
installed on the coolant surge tank. SeeEngine
Compartment Overview on page 5-12for more
information on location.
Engine Overheating
You will nd an engine coolant temperature warning
light on your vehicle’s instrument panel. SeeEngine
Coolant Temperature Warning Light on page 3-32for
more information.
5-27

Tire Pressure Monitor Operation
This vehicle may have a Tire Pressure Monitor System
(TPMS). The TPMS is designed to warn the driver when a
low tire pressure condition exists. If your vehicle has this
feature, TPMS sensors are mounted onto each tire and
wheel assembly, excluding the spare tire and wheel
assembly, if the vehicle has one. The TPMS sensors
monitor the air pressure in the vehicle’s tires and transmit
the tire pressure readings to a receiver located in the
vehicle.
When a low tire pressure
condition is detected, the
TPMS turns on the low tire
pressure warning light
located on the instrument
panel cluster.At the same time a message to check the pressure in a
specic tire appears on the Driver Information Center
(DIC) display. The low tire pressure warning light and the
DIC warning message come on at each ignition cycle
until the tires are inated to the correct ination pressure.
Using the DIC, tire pressure levels can be viewed by the
driver. For additional information and details about the
DIC operation and displays seeDIC Operation and
Displays on page 3-39andDIC Warnings and Messages
on page 3-42.
The low tire pressure warning light may come on in cool
weather when the vehicle is rst started, and then
turn off as you start to drive. This could be an early
indicator that the air pressure in the tire(s) are getting
low and need to be inated to the proper pressure.
A Tire and Loading Information label shows the size of
your vehicle’s original equipment tires and the correct
ination pressure for your vehicle’s tires when they are
cold. SeeLoading the Vehicle on page 4-22, for an
example of the Tire and Loading Information label and
its location on your vehicle. Also seeInflation - Tire
Pressure on page 5-55.
5-58

If any of the soil remains, a commercial fabric cleaner
or spot lifter may be necessary. When a commercial
upholstery cleaner or spot lifter is to be used, test a small
hidden area for colorfastness rst. If the locally cleaned
area gives any impression that a ring formation may
result, clean the entire surface.
After the cleaning process has been completed, a paper
towel can be used to blot excess moisture from the
fabric or carpet.
Leather
A soft cloth dampened with water can be used to remove
dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a soft
cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be used.
Allow the leather to dry naturally. Do not use heat to dry.
Never use steam to clean leather. Never use spot lifters
or spot removers on leather. Many commercial leather
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and
protect leather may permanently change the appearance
and feel of the leather and are not recommended. Do not
use silicone or wax-based products, or those containing
organic solvents to clean the vehicle’s interior because
they can alter the appearance by increasing the gloss in a
non-uniform manner. Never use shoe polish on leather.
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other
Plastic Surfaces
A soft cloth dampened with water may be used to remove
dust. If a more thorough cleaning is necessary, a clean
soft cloth dampened with a mild soap solution can be
used to gently remove dust and dirt. Never use spot
lifters or removers on plastic surfaces. Many commercial
cleaners and coatings that are sold to preserve and
protect soft plastic surfaces may permanently change
the appearance and feel of the interior and are not
recommended. Do not use silicone or wax-based
products, or those containing organic solvents to
clean the vehicle’s interior because they can alter the
appearance by increasing the gloss in a non-uniform
manner.
Some commercial products may increase gloss on the
instrument panel. The increase in gloss may cause
annoying reections in the windshield and even make it
difficult to see through the windshield under certain
conditions.
5-96

Vehicle Identication
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
This is the legal identier for the vehicle. It appears on a
plate in the front corner of the instrument panel, on the
driver side. It can be seen through the windshield from
outside the vehicle. The VIN also appears on the Vehicle
Certication and Service Parts labels and the certicates
of title and registration.
Engine Identication
The eighth character in the VIN is the engine code.
This code helps identify the vehicle’s engine,
specications, and replacement parts. See “Engine
Specications” underCapacities and Specifications
on page 5-108for the vehicle’s engine code.
Service Parts Identication Label
This label is in the trunk, on the driver side, near
the spare tire cover. It is very helpful if parts need to
be ordered. The label has the following information:
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN)
Model designation
Paint information
Production options and special equipment
Do not remove this label from the vehicle.
Electrical System
Add-On Electrical Equipment
Notice:Do not add anything electrical to the vehicle
unless you check with your dealer/retailer rst. Some
electrical equipment can damage the vehicle and
the damage would not be covered by the vehicle’s
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment can
keep other components from working as they should.
Add-on equipment can drain the vehicle battery, even if
the vehicle is not operating.
The vehicle has an airbag system. Before attempting to
add anything electrical to the vehicle, seeServicing
Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle on page 1-64.
5-102

Customer Assistance and
Information
Customer Satisfaction Procedure
Your satisfaction and goodwill are important to
your dealer and to Pontiac. Normally, any concerns
with the sales transaction or the operation of the
vehicle will be resolved by the dealer’s sales or service
departments. Sometimes, however, despite the best
intentions of all concerned, misunderstandings can
occur. If your concern has not been resolved to your
satisfaction, the following steps should be taken:
STEP ONE:Discuss your concern with a member
of dealership management. Normally, concerns can
be quickly resolved at that level. If the matter has
already been reviewed with the sales, service, or parts
manager, contact the owner of the dealership or the
general manager.STEP TWO:If after contacting a member of
dealership management, it appears your concern
cannot be resolved by the dealership without further
help, in the U.S., call the Pontiac Customer Assistance
Center at 1-800-762-2737. In Canada, call General
Motors of Canada Customer Communication Centre at
1-800-263-3777 (English) or 1-800-263-7854 (French).
We encourage you to call the toll-free number in order to
give your inquiry prompt attention. Have the following
information available to give the Customer Assistance
Representative:
Vehicle Identication Number (VIN). This is
available from the vehicle registration or title,
or the plate at the top left of the instrument
panel and visible through the windshield.
Dealership name and location.
Vehicle delivery date and present mileage.
When contacting Pontiac, remember that your concern
will likely be resolved at a dealer’s facility. That is
why we suggest you follow Step One rst.
7-2

A
Accessories and Modications............................ 5-3
Accessory Power............................................2-23
Accessory Power Outlets.................................3-16
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle.......................................................1-65
Additional Required Services, Scheduled
Maintenance................................................. 6-6
Additives, Fuel................................................. 5-6
Add-On Electrical Equipment...........................5-102
Adjustments
Headlamp Range.......................................... 1-7
Air Cleaner/Filter, Engine.................................5-18
Air Conditioning..............................................3-18
Air Filter, Passenger Compartment....................3-21
Airbag
Readiness Light..........................................3-26
Airbag System................................................1-52
Adding Equipment to Your Airbag-Equipped
Vehicle...................................................1-65
How Does an Airbag Restrain?......................1-57
Passenger Sensing System...........................1-59
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..........1-64
What Makes an Airbag Inate?......................1-57
What Will You See After an Airbag Inates?....1-58
When Should an Airbag Inate?....................1-56
Where Are the Airbags?...............................1-54Airbags
Passenger Status Indicator...........................3-27
Antenna
Fixed Mast.................................................3-87
Antenna, XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna
System......................................................3-87
Antilock Brake System (ABS)............................. 4-4
Warning Light.............................................3-30
Appearance Care
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels.............5-100
Care of Safety Belts....................................5-97
Chemical Paint Spotting..............................5-101
Cleaning Exterior Lamps/Lenses....................5-98
Fabric/Carpet..............................................5-95
Finish Care.................................................5-98
Finish Damage
..........................................5-101
Instrument Panel, Vinyl, and Other Plastic
Surfaces.................................................5-96
Interior Cleaning..........................................5-94
Leather......................................................5-96
Sheet Metal Damage..................................5-101
Tires........................................................5-100
Underbody Maintenance.............................5-101
Washing Your Vehicle...................................5-97
Weatherstrips..............................................5-97
Windshield and Wiper Blades........................5-99
Ashtray.........................................................3-17
Assistance Program, Roadside........................... 7-7
1